Fiber optic terminal enclosure

ABSTRACT

A terminal enclosure with a terminal base with a hole; a terminal lid with an adapter mounting face and a mounting hole in the mounting face; a right angle transition body with first and second ends; an adapter which passes through the mounting hole and is mounted to the mounting face; and a fiber optic cable, attached to the second end of the right angle transition body, with an optical fiber with a connector at one end. The mounting face is formed at an angle α, between 0 and 180 degrees, from a plane formed where the terminal lid and base meet. The optical fiber connector is connected to the adapter. The first end of the right angle transition body passes through the terminal base hole. The terminal base and terminal lid are configured to be attached together.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/102,407, filed Jan. 12, 2015in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and as a U.S. nationalstage filing of International Application No. PCT/US2016/013053 havingan international filing date of Jan. 12, 2016, the disclosures of bothof which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The invention is related to a fiber optic terminal enclosure and moreparticularly to a terminal enclosure that can be used for hardened fiberoptic adapters.

2. Related Art

Fiber to the home is a desirable broadband deployment method that holdsthe promise of providing the greatest amount of bandwidth for futureapplications. One method of deployment utilizes a hardened fiber opticconnector design. These connectors terminate at a enclosure on one endand to the home on the other. At the enclosure termination, the inputcable must be sealed and transitioned into the enclosure so as tominimize space and provide a secure water tight connection. Currentmethods utilize bulky heat shrinks and grommets to accomplish thismating.

SUMMARY

Exemplary implementations of the present invention address the problemsand/or disadvantages of the current technology/methodology describedabove. Although the present invention is not required to overcome all ofthe disadvantages described above, an exemplary implementation of thepresent invention may address the above disadvantages, and furtherdisadvantages not described above, or may not overcome any of theproblems listed above while still providing improved methodology andenhancement to the present art.

In order to design a method of entry in to the enclosure, a uniquetransition has been conceived to terminate the cable and fan-out thefibers for connectorization and termination within the enclosure. Anintegrated chip holder allows for easy fan-out from the cable the 900 μmtubing used within the enclosure. Epoxy is used to fill the transitionproviding water blocking and cable retention. A threaded insert is usedto secure the transition in the enclosure. The unique wedge shape of thetransition provides additional retention and strain relieves thetransition fitting. An O-ring around the threaded fitting seals thetransition to the enclosure once secured with internal nut.

Advantages and benefits of the invention include, but are not limited tothe following: 1. Integrated fan-out chip allows for easy fibertransition from 250 μm to protected 900 μm furcation. 2. Inherent wedgeshape provides additional strain relief. 3. Two piece constructionfacilitates ease of manufacturing. 4. Transition piece allows forassembly separate from the enclosure also adding in manufacturingprocess.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal enclosurewith a terminal base with a hole; a terminal lid with an adaptermounting face and a mounting hole in the adapter mounting face; a rightangle transition body with a first end and a second end; an adapterwhich passes through the mounting hole and is mounted to the adaptermounting face; and a fiber optic cable, attached to the second end ofthe right angle transition body, with an optical fiber with a connectorat one end. In addition, the adapter mounting face is formed at an angleα, between 0 and 180 degrees, from a plane formed where the terminal lidand terminal base meet. The optical fiber connector is connected to theadapter. The first end of the right angle transition body passes throughthe terminal base hole. The terminal base and terminal lid areconfigured to be attached together.

Other features of the present invention include a plurality of mountingfaces on the terminal lid, each of the mounting faces includes aplurality of mounting holes and a plurality of adapters pass through themounting holes and are mounted to the adapter mounting faces.

Other features of the present invention include the right angletransition body having two body halves.

Other features of the present invention include the right angletransition body having a wedge-like shape.

Other features of the present invention include having a pocket in theterminal base such that the right angle transition body can bepositioned in the terminal base pocket such that the right angletransition body does not extend beyond a plane formed at the bottom ofthe terminal base.

Other features of the present invention include the adapter being ahardened fiber optic adapter.

Other features of the present invention include the fiber optic cablehaving a furcation tube organizer block.

Other features of the present invention include the angle α beingapproximately 45 degrees, or in a range between 30 and 60 degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of afiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of afiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective bottom view of a first exemplary embodimentof a fiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a first exemplaryembodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective bottom view of a first exemplary embodimentof a fiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a first exemplaryembodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective bottom view of a first exemplary embodimentof a fiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective end view of a first exemplary embodiment of afiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective side view of a second exemplary embodiment ofa fiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of afiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective bottom view of a third exemplary embodimentof a fiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of afiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of afiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show perspective views of the terminal base and rightangle transition body of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber opticterminal enclosure.

FIGS. 14A and 14B show cross-sectional and perspectives views of theright angle transition body of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic terminal enclosure.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show internal views of the right angle transition bodyof a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective bottom view of a fourth exemplary embodimentof a fiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 17A shows a perspective top view of a fourth exemplary embodimentof a fiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 17B shows a perspective top view of a first exemplary embodiment ofa fiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 17C shows a perspective top view of a third exemplary embodiment ofa fiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 18A shows an end view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 18B shows an end view of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 18C shows an end view of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 18D shows a side view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 18E shows a side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 18F shows a side view of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 18G shows a bottom view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 18H shows a bottom view of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic terminal enclosure.

FIG. 18I shows a bottom view of a third exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic terminal enclosure.

FIGS. 19A and 19D show perspective top views of a fourth exemplaryembodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIGS. 19B and 19E show perspective top views of a first exemplaryembodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure.

FIGS. 19C and 19F show perspective top views of a third exemplaryembodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader ingaining a comprehensive understanding of the apparatuses and/or systemsdescribed herein. Various changes, modifications, and equivalents of thesystems and/or apparatuses described herein will suggest themselves tothose of ordinary skill in the art. Descriptions of well-known functionsand structures are omitted to enhance clarity and conciseness.

FIGS. 1A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17B, 18B, 18E, 18H, 19B, 19E and 19B showviews of a first exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminalenclosure 100. The fiber optic terminal enclosure 100 includes a sixport terminal lid 101 and a terminal base 102. The six port terminal lid101 of the fiber optic terminal enclosure 100 includes six holes 104(see FIG. 19B), in adaptor mounting faces 101A, into which hardenedfiber optic adaptors (HFOA) 105 are mounted. The adaptor mountingsurfaces 101A are formed at an angle α between 0 and 180 degrees,preferably in a range between 30 and 60 degrees and more preferably atapproximately 45 degrees, from a plane formed where six port terminallid 101 and terminal base 102 meet (see FIG. 18E), to allow for easyaccess and cable management. The holes 104 in each adaptor mountingsurfaces 101A are staggered to make access easier. The six port terminallid 101 also includes fastener shrouds 106. The six port terminal lid101 also includes an O-ring retainer 111.

The terminal base 102 includes fastener bosses 107 and 107A.Conventional fasteners (not shown) can be used to attach the six portterminal lid 101 to the terminal base 102 at the fastener shrouds 106and fastener bosses 107, 107A. The terminal base 102 also includesmounting tabs 108 that can be used to mount the fiber optic terminalenclosure 100 to other structures, such as a wall or pole, withconventional fasteners (not shown). The terminal base 102 also includesan O-ring groove 112. Thus, an O-ring (not shown) may be placed in theO-ring groove 112 before attaching the six port terminal lid 101 to theterminal base 102, and the O-ring retainer 111 will hold the O-ring inplace such that an appropriate environmental seal can be formed.

The terminal base 102 also includes a pocket 103A for a right angletransition body 103. The pocket 103A may also include a space for alocking clamp 110 that can be used to attach a flat drop cable 109 tothe terminal base 102. In a preferred embodiment, said pocket 103A isdeep enough so that said right angle transition body 103 does not extendbeyond a plane formed at the bottom (102A) of said terminal base 102.

The fiber optic terminal enclosure 100 may be made of thermoplasticmaterials, such as polycarbonates or polypropylene, or other likematerials.

FIGS. 3 and 5 show a cross-sectional views of the first exemplaryembodiment of the fiber optic terminal enclosure 100 with the rightangle transition body 103. The right angle transition 103 has a firstthreaded end 103B that is inserted into a hole 103C in the terminal base102. A nut (not shown) can be threaded on the threaded end 103B toattach the right angle transition body 103 to the terminal base 102. Theright angle transition body 103 also has a second threaded end 103D andtransition body 103F for holding a furcation tube organizer block 109C.A nut 103E can be threaded on the threaded end 103D to attach a flatdrop cable 109 to the right angle transition body 103. The flat dropcable 109 includes optical fibers 109A which go through the furcationtube organizer block 109C. At the end of flat drop cable 109 areconnectors 109B that are inserted into HFOAs 105. Flat drop cable 109may include strength members and a buffer tube for the optical fibers.

In addition, epoxy or other suitable materials may be used to fill theright angle transition body 103 to provide water blocking and cableretention.

FIGS. 1B and 8 show of a second exemplary embodiment of a fiber opticterminal enclosure 200. The fiber optic terminal enclosure 200 issimilar to fiber optic terminal enclosure 100, except that it includesmore ports. The fiber optic terminal enclosure 200 includes a twelveport terminal lid 201 and a terminal base 202. The twelve port terminallid 201 of the fiber optic terminal enclosure 200 includes twelve holes204, in adaptor mounting faces 201A, into which HFOAs 205 are mounted.The adaptor mounting surfaces are formed at an angle α between 0 and 180degrees, preferably in a range between 30 and 60 degrees and morepreferably at approximately 45 degrees, from a plane formed where twelveport terminal lid 201 and terminal base 202 meet, to allow for easyaccess and cable management. The holes 204 in each adaptor mountingsurfaces 201A are staggered to make access easier. The twelve portterminal lid 201 also includes fastener shrouds 206. The twelve portterminal lid 201 also includes an O-ring retainer similar to O-ringretainer 111.

The terminal base 202 includes fastener bosses 207 and 207A.Conventional fasteners (not shown) can be used to attach the twelve portterminal lid 201 to the terminal base 202 at the fastener shrouds 206and fastener bosses 207, 207A. The terminal base 202 also includesmounting tabs 208 that can be used to mount the fiber optic terminalenclosure 200 to other structures, such as a wall or pole, withconventional fasteners (not shown). The terminal base 202 also includesan O-ring groove similar to O-ring groove 112. Thus, an O-ring (notshown) may be placed in the O-ring groove before attaching the twelveport terminal lid 201 to the terminal base 202, and the O-ring retainerwill hold the O-ring in place such that an appropriate environmentalseal can be formed.

The terminal base 202 also includes a pocket similar to pocket 103A fora right angle transition body similar to right angle transition body103. The pocket may also include a space for a locking clamp similar tolocking clamp 110 that can be used to attach a flat drop cable similarto flat drop cable 109 to the terminal base 202. In a preferredembodiment, said pocket is deep enough so that said right angletransition body does not extend beyond a plane formed at the bottom(202A) of said terminal base 202.

The fiber optic terminal enclosure 200 may be made of thermoplasticmaterials, such as polycarbonates or polypropylene, or other likematerials.

Cross sectional views of fiber optic terminal enclosure 200 would besimilar to FIGS. 3 and 5.

FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13A, 13B, 17C, 18C, 18F, 18I, 19C and 19 show viewsof a third exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure 300.The fiber optic terminal enclosure 300 includes a six port terminal lid301 and a terminal base 302. The six port terminal lid 301 of the fiberoptic terminal enclosure 300 includes six holes 304 (see FIG. 19C), inadaptor mounting faces 301A, into which HFOAs 305 are mounted. Theadaptor mounting surfaces are formed at an angle α between 0 and 180degrees, preferably in a range between 30 and 60 degrees and morepreferably at approximately 45 degrees, from a plane where six portterminal lid 301 and terminal base 302 meet (see FIG. 18F), to allow foreasy access and cable management. The holes 304 in each adaptor mountingsurfaces 301A are staggered to make access easier. The six port terminallid 301 also includes fastener shrouds 306. The six port terminal lid301 also includes an O-ring retainer similar to O-ring retainer 111.

The terminal base 302 includes fastener bosses 307 and 307A.Conventional fasteners (not shown) can be used to attach the six portterminal lid 301 to the terminal base 302 at the fastener shrouds 306and fastener bosses 307, 307A. The terminal base 302 also includesmounting tabs 308 that can be used to mount the fiber optic terminalenclosure 300 to other structures, such as a wall or pole, withconventional fasteners (not shown). The terminal base 302 also includesan O-ring groove 312. Thus, an O-ring (not shown) may be placed in theO-ring groove 312 before attaching the six port terminal lid 301 to theterminal base 302, and the O-ring retainer will hold the O-ring in placesuch that an appropriate environmental seal can be formed.

The terminal base 302 also includes a pocket 303A for a right angletransition body 303. In a preferred embodiment, said pocket 303A is deepenough so that said right angle transition body 303 does not extendbeyond a plane formed at the bottom (302A) of said terminal base 302.

The right angle transition 303 has a first threaded end 303B that isinserted into a hole 303C in the terminal base 302. A nut 313 can bethreaded on the threaded end 303B to attach the right angle transitionbody 303 to the terminal base 302. Also, an O-ring 314 may be placearound the threaded end 303B to improve the environmental seal.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 15A and 15B show views of right angle transition 303 andflat drop cable 309. The right angle transition 303 includes two bodyhalves 303-1 and 303-2 that may be held together by tabs/holes 303D.Flat drop cable 309 may include strength members 309E and a buffer tube309D including optical fibers 309A. The optical fibers 309A go through afurcation tube organizer block 309C. At the end of flat drop cable 309are connectors 309B that are inserted into HFOAs 305. In one embodiment,the right angle transition body 303 has a wedge-like shape.

In addition, epoxy or other suitable materials may be used to fill theright angle transition body 303 to provide water blocking and cableretention.

The fiber optic terminal enclosure 300 may be made of thermoplasticmaterials, such as polycarbonates or polypropylene, or other likematerials.

FIGS. 16, 17A, 18A, 18D, 18G, 19A and 19D show views of a fourthexemplary embodiment of a fiber optic terminal enclosure 400. Thisenclosure is similar fiber optic terminal enclosure 100, except that theholes 404 in each of the adaptor mounting surfaces 401A are notstaggered. The fiber optic terminal enclosure 400 includes a six portterminal lid 401 and a terminal base 402. The six port terminal lid 401of the fiber optic terminal enclosure 400 includes six holes 404 (seeFIG. 19A), in adaptor mounting faces 401A, into which hardened HFOAssimilar to HFOAs 105 (not shown) are mounted. The adaptor mountingsurfaces 401A are formed at an angle α between 0 and 180 degrees,preferably in a range between 30 and 60 degrees and more preferably atapproximately 45 degrees, from a plane formed where six port terminallid 401 and terminal base 402 meet (see FIG. 18D), to allow for easyaccess and cable management. The six port terminal lid 401 also includesfastener shrouds 406. The six port terminal lid 401 also includes anO-ring retainer similar to O-ring retainer 111 (not shown).

The terminal base 402 includes fastener bosses 407 and 407A.Conventional fasteners (not shown) can be used to attach the six portterminal lid 401 to the terminal base 402 at the fastener shrouds 406and fastener bosses 407, 407A. The terminal base 402 also includesmounting tabs 408 that can be used to mount the fiber optic terminalenclosure 400 to other structures, such as a wall or pole, withconventional fasteners (not shown). The terminal base 402 also includesan O-ring groove similar to O-ring groove 112 (not shown). Thus, anO-ring (not shown) may be placed in the O-ring groove before attachingthe six port terminal lid 401 to the terminal base 402, and the O-ringretainer will hold the O-ring in place such that an appropriateenvironmental seal can be formed.

The terminal base 402 also includes a pocket 403A for a right angletransition body similar to right angle transition body 103 (not shown).The pocket 403A may also include a space for a locking clamp similar tolocking clamp 410 that can be used to attach a flat drop cable similarto flat drop cable 109 (not shown) to the terminal base 402. In apreferred embodiment, said pocket 403A is deep enough so that said rightangle transition body 403 does not extend beyond a plane formed at thebottom (402A) of said terminal base 402.

The fiber optic terminal enclosure 400 may be made of thermoplasticmaterials, such as polycarbonates or polypropylene, or other likematerials.

Cross sectional views of fiber optic terminal enclosure 400 would besimilar to FIGS. 3 and 5.

In addition, epoxy or other suitable materials may be used to fill theright angle transition body 103 to provide water blocking and cableretention.

As mentioned above, although the exemplary embodiments described aboveare various undersea housings the general inventive concept should notbe limited thereto, and it could also apply to other types of housings.For example, the enclosure is not limited to lids with six or twelveholes for HFOAs.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A terminal enclosure comprising: a terminalbase with a hole; a terminal lid with an adapter mounting face and amounting hole in said adapter mounting face; a right angle transitionbody with a first end and a second end; an adapter which passes throughsaid mounting hole and is mounted to said adapter mounting face; and afiber optic cable, attached to said second end of said right angletransition body, with an optical fiber with a connector at one end;wherein said adapter mounting face is formed at an angle α, between 0and 180 degrees, from a plane formed where said terminal lid and saidterminal base meet; wherein said optical fiber connector is connected tosaid adapter; wherein said first end of said right angle transition bodypasses through said terminal base hole; wherein said terminal base andterminal lid are configured to be attached together; and wherein saidterminal base has a pocket and said right angle transition body ispositioned in said terminal base pocket.
 2. The terminal enclosure ofclaim 1 further comprising: a plurality of mounting faces on saidterminal lid, each of said mounting faces comprises a plurality ofmounting holes; and a plurality of adapters passing through saidmounting holes and mounted to said adapter mounting faces.
 3. Theterminal enclosure of claim 1 wherein said right angle transition bodycomprises two body halves.
 4. The terminal enclosure of claim 3 whereinsaid right angle transition body has a wedge-like shape.
 5. The terminalenclosure of claim 1 wherein said adapter is a hardened fiber opticadapter.
 6. The terminal enclosure of claim 1 wherein said fiber opticcable comprises a furcation tube organizer block.
 7. The terminalenclosure of claim 1 wherein said angle α is approximately 45 degrees.8. The terminal enclosure of claim 1 wherein said angle α is in a rangebetween approximately 30 and 60 degrees.
 9. The terminal enclosure ofclaim 1 wherein said right angle transition body does not extend beyonda plane formed at the bottom of said terminal base.